One-fourths of earthquake risky buildings demolished in Istanbul

Deputy Prime Minister Yalçın Akdoğan stated Sunday that 11,349 buildings damage risk from a strong earthquake were demolished so far under urban transformation efforts.

Speaking at the Istanbul Disaster Preparation Meeting held by the Prime Ministry Disaster & Emergency Management Authority (AFAD), Akdoğan said that AFAD, founded in 2009 to coordinate disaster prevention and relief efforts, prepared Turkey Emergency Response Plan (TAMP) laid out to minimize losses after three years of work. In August 17, 1999 earthquake alone, Turkey has faced with an economic burden of $4 billion, Akdoğan said, underlining that Istanbul must be more prepared for an earthquake due its leading economic and cultural status in Turkey.

Akdoğan said that authorities have to be determined for the transformation of risky buildings. He said that 11,349 buildings in Istanbul, accounting for one-fourths of all risky buildings in the province, were demolished so far. Akdoğan noted that urban transformation practices are being carried out 40 locations across the province, by 12 municipalities taking the lead with 32 projects.

Noting that only a quarter of Istanbul's building stock was prone to large scale earthquakes in 1999, Akdoğan said that 260 schools were rebuilt since, 772 schools were strengthened, eight health facilities were rebuilt and 100 others were reinforced. A total of 296 buildings were rebuilt and 960 were reinforced, Akdoğan said, along with five tunnels, 163 bridges 45 viaducts and two suspension bridges were reinforced. Akdoğan noted that 1.18 million in Istanbul and 5.06 million people in Turkey were given education courses to increase awareness on earthquakes and disasters.

Akdoğan said the number of earthquake monitoring stations throughout the country were increased to 776, with seven of them were laid out under Marmara Sea to monitor fault lines that may trigger a large earthquake in Marmara Sea. He stated that Turkey currently is in a position to export disaster management systems.

Akdoğan noted that Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality alone has spared one billion Turkish liras ($340 million) for earthquake readiness efforts.

Istanbul Governor Vasip Şahin, Istanbul Mayor Kadir Topbaş, AFAD President Fuat Oktay and various other local officials attended to the meeting.